M6 Toll still has limited appeal
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THE NEWLY OPENED service area on the M6 Toll motorway is only attracting a handful of truckers, despite protests about parking shortages in the area.
Jonathan Corp, director of the Roadchef site at Norton Canes in Staffordshire, says only around six of its 40 HGV parking spaces have been regularly used overnight since it opened a month ago (9 March). Fewer than 30 truckers have been stopping there during the day, which reflects the low volume of truck traffic on the road.
"It's disappointing that more drivers have not tried the site because they would be pleasantly surprised both at the journey time and the facilities we offer," Corp adds. "Our showers are the best on the motorway network."
Overnight parking costs £7 but for an extra £3 drivers receive a meal voucher worth £6. Corp says: "I can't do much about the argument over toll
charges but I think everyone should try the road and our facilities once. The whole experience is fantastic."
HGV parking provision in the region is in short supply following the loss of several sites for redevelopment.
Last year a campaign was launched to prevent the closure of a 30-space park in Walsall which is less than 10 miles from Norton Canes (CM 4 September).
But before the service area opened, the Professional Drivers Association predicted it would make little difference because the £10 toll for trucks was too high (CM 20 November).